MAINE SENIOR REPORT   

September 2008

 

An Information Service of the

Maine Council of Senior Citizens –
Alliance for Retired Americans
 
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CONGRESSMAN TOM ALLEN SPEAKS ON

THE IMPACT OF RISING FUEL COSTS

 

The impact of rising fuel costs is a major concern of seniors in Maine and nationwide. Congressman Tom Allen shares this concern. Recently Allen said:

 

“I recently called for stories about how Mainers are coping with the rising cost of home heating oil, so that I could use real life anecdotes to explain to my colleagues from around the country what we in Maine will be facing this coming winter.  I received hundreds of stories, nearly all of them heartbreaking.  I recently shared some of these stories in a speech on the House floor, along with my plan to provide short-term relief to people struggling with high fuel costs.”

 

To view this speech, please click here.

 

“I am honored to represent the people of Maine and I am grateful that you share your thoughts with me.  This mutual communication helps us continue our fight to make Maine values Washington values.  Please feel free to forward this message to friends, family members, or colleagues who may be interested in communicating with me as well.  Please feel free to continue to contact me on issues important to you.”

And TOM DOES MORE THAN TALK – HE FIGHTS FOR SENIORS AND WORKING FAMILIES
Reps. Tom Allen and Carolyn McCarthy Have Introduced Legislation to Provide Relief from Soaring Home Heating Costs. Their bill creates a $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers) refundable tax credit for heating fuel and a one percent interest loan program for weatherization

 

U.S. Representatives Tom Allen (D-ME) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) have announced that they have introduced H.R. 6605, The Home Heating Fuels Cost Relief Act of 2008.

 

This legislation creates a $1,000 ($2,000 for couples filing jointly) refundable tax credit for heating fuels and establishes a grant program for states to provide up to $5,000 ($10,000 per household) in low interest home weatherization loans.   

 

“Everywhere I go in Maine, families tell me that they expect their home heating bills to double in the winter ahead and that finding a way to pay for fuel and soaring costs for food and other necessities is busting their budgets,” Representative Allen said.  “Our legislation provides families with immediate relief through a refundable tax credit and assistance to make their homes more energy efficient through low interest weatherization loans that won’t saddle them with heavy debt.  These steps will make it possible for tens of thousands of Maine families and millions across America to stay warm this winter without having to choose between fuel and groceries.”

 

H.R. 6605 establishes the refundable tax credit and weatherization loan program for two years while Congress works to enact comprehensive, long range policies to assure affordable energy for America’s families and businesses

FROM THE DESK OF THE MCSC/ARA PRESIDENT
John Carr

 First, please note our new office address above – Maine Council of Senior Citizens/ARA/ARA PO Box 1591, Waterville, ME 04903. We will continue to meet, as we always have at the MSEA/SEIU building at 71State Street in Augusta. And, as always, we welcome anyone to attend our monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month – whether or not you are a member. Meetings start at 9:30 a.m. and we end at about 11 a.m. – We discuss and take action on a number of issues that are of importance to seniors. The meetings are informal and informative – please drop in and participate.

I want to thank those who were able to attend the Chateau Cushnoc celebration near the end of August. Chateau Cushnoc celebrated its 25th year of successfully providing the Augusta Maine area with quality, affordable, 60 units of elderly housing. Elderly Housing Development Operations Corporation (EHDOC) reputation for creating and managing excellent affordable senior housing communities is well known throughout the United States. In addition to the Chateau Cushnoc, EHDOC operates and manages three other properties in Maine, La Maison Acadienne, 62 units in Madawaska, John Marvin Towers, 32 units in Augusta (next to Chateau Cushnoc) and Spring Rock, 20 units in Leeds. The MCSC-ARA is very proud to be able to work with these elderly housing communities.

There were a number of speakers (including Sen. Libby Mitchell, Maine Senate Majority Leader) who recognized the 25-year support and contributions of legislators andcommunity leaders with certificates of appreciation. In addition several residents who have been at the Chateau for the entire 25 years of its existence were recognized. We were especially pleased to have present and hear from Steve Protulis, Executive Director of EHDOC.
 

Seniors should also be aware of a new service  called “211.”

United Ways of Maine, in collaboration with Ingraham, has established 2-1-1 Maine, Inc. a response to the growing complexities and needs in health, social economic and human services. 2-1-1 Maine is part of a national movement to centralize and streamline access to health and human service information and resources.

 

On June 27, 2005, 2-1-1 Maine, Inc. received designation from the Maine Public Utility Commission as the “sole entity entitled to use the 211 numbering code for access to information and referral services in Maine.”

For more information check out the article below or go to the 211 web site fact page at http://www.211maine.org/fastfacts.asp

 

I am sure seniors, as well as everyone else is well aware of the on-going battle over the proposed Employee Free Choice Act – with Senator Susan Collins opposing it and Congressman and Democratic Senate Candidate Tom Allen supporting it. However, some may be less aware of the fact that the NLRB Board, (the agency that administers the NLRB Act covering how workers form a new union) is made up of 5 people appointed by the President, When we have a Democrat President, the Board majority (3) is Democratic, and, when we have a Republican President, the board majority is Republican. The last 28 years, counting 2008, we have had a Republican administration for 20 years and a Democratic Administration for 8 years. The NLRB Board has been dominated by Republicans for 20 of the last 28 years and the record of Board decisions favors corporation/companies and not workers.

 

For some good facts see the IBEW Journal -Summer 2008 at www.ibew.org, the Article "8 years on the Wrong Track". With the Employee Free Choice Act, Unions are trying to find a level playing field for the workers in this Country.

 

And a final note – seniors are greatly concerned with Social Security and everything that impacts the system, their monthly payments and the annual Cost of Living based increases. We should all be aware that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has been changed by the current Secretary of Labor removing costs of food and fuel from the actual CPI. This makes the rise of inflation look to be 4% when actually its 11%. A review of www.shadowstats.com  reveals that the CPI has gone through many revisions at the direction of the Bush administration. This web site has a lot of interesting info.

In Senior Solidarity

John Carr

President Maine Council of Senior Citizens/ARA

 

 

BARACK OBAMA STRONGLY SUPPORTS

EMERGENCY LIHEAP LEGISLATION

 

U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) has joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce the Keep Americans Warm Act of 2007, sponsored by Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT). This legislation would provide an additional $1 billion in emergency funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure that millions of low-income families, senior citizens, and disabled Americans are able to heat their homes, keep their lights on, and cook their food during the coldest months of the year.

 

Despite skyrocketing energy costs, President Bush not only proposed reducing LIHEAP funding in his Fiscal Year 2008 budget proposal, but also vetoed LIHEAP funding included in the Senate-passed version of the Labor HHS bill, putting millions of Americans at risk of not being able to heat their homes this winter.

 

Obama said, “Soaring energy costs have meant that more and more Americans have to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families,” Senator Obama said. “This is not a choice our families should have to make. Ensuring all Americans have livable homes during the coldest months is a basic necessity. But I hear from too many Americans struggling to meet these costs -- senior citizens who can’t pay for their medication because of heating bills and parents whose children go to bed cold at night.

 

“While LIHEAP provides help for millions of American families, the President has chosen to play politics over authorizing these emergency funds, and has risked their health and safety. This bill cannot come at a more urgent time, and must be passed immediately. I thank Senator Sanders for his leadership on this bill, and urge my colleagues to stand with us to support this program that provides assistance for those who need it the most.”

 

211 IMPORTANT FOR MAINE SENIORS

WHAT IS 2-1-1?

 

·        One number – thousands of services. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember number that connects people who want to give help or get help with a full range of health and human services in their community. The 2-1-1 directory is accessible by Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 Call Center services operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

·        2-1-1 includes a statewide-directory of over 5000 resources including agency services and support groups accessible through this website to anyone with Internet capability.

·        The 2-1-1 Call Center is now accessible statewide and from cell phones and phone service provided by Internet carriers.

·        2-1-1 will provide emergency operations during times of natural and other disasters, include accurate and timely information for preparations, and longer term referral for follow-up services if required.

YOU CAN CALL BY TELEPHONE OR GET

 ACCESS ON THE INTERNET

 

Anyone with access to the Internet can search 2-1-1. Search by topic and zip code and 2-1-1 will provide resources giving the distances from that zip code.

 

The state of Maine has over 300 hotlines and help lines and thousands of programs offering all types of health and human services. Trying to find the right phone number or service that provides help for your specific need can be overwhelming and frustrating. Having an easy-to-remember universal telephone number and website for non-emergency help is critical. People can call 2-1-1 to find or give help.

WIDESPREAD NURSING HOME EVICTIONS

 PUT PATIENTS AT RISK

 

Despite the industry’s claims that evictions are uncommon, nursing homes across the nation are increasingly forcing out frail and ill residents.  According to The Wall Street Journal, formal complaints about discharge practices have doubled over a decade, to 8,500 nationally in 2006.

 

You can read the complete article at
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/117671.php

 

Medicaid beneficiaries are at greater risk of eviction because Medicaid reimbursement rates are as little as half of what nursing homes make from residents who pay their bills out-of-pocket, with private coverage or through Medicare, according to the Journal.

 

The Journal reports that Medicaid reimbursement payments to nursing homes in 2007 were $4.4 billion less than the cost of treating beneficiaries. According to Michael Wiederhorn, a health care analyst for Oppenheimer, approximately two-thirds of nursing home residents who stay in facilities more than 90 days depend on Medicaid to pay their bills.

 

The problem largely boils down to money: residents on Medicaid pay facilities as little as half of those who pay out-of-pocket, with private health insurance, or through Medicare.  “It is inexcusable and unlawful for nursing homes to evict residents for these reasons,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance for Retired Americans.  “Officials must step in to protect patients, particularly those on Medicaid.”

 

INSURANCE COMPANY “RULES”

After the Health Care for America Now coalition unveiled it's brilliant "Insurance Company Rules" video (below) -- elegantly depicting how insurance companies regularly try to make up rules as they go along to deny people coverage and benefits.  This Week In Insurance Company Rules -- tracking the latest in insurance companies tricks and tactics to keep us unhealthy and uncovered.

 

These three different videos (less than two minutes each) are great fun to watch and also clearly show how the big insurance companies make up their own “insurance company rules” on everything from rates to payments (when they get around to making any). Click the links and watch.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVpX5fUvPlg

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoAm6cTgAXA

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOws2P78KrQ

 

 

HOUSE REPORT FINDS TAXPAYERS PAY

 UP TO 30% MORE FOR PRESCRIPTIONS UNDER PART D

 

In a recent report, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform found that U.S. drug manufacturers are reaping a windfall from taxpayers when it comes to the privately administered Medicare Part D program.

 

According to the report, taxpayers are paying up to 30% more for prescription drugs under Medicare's Part D program for seniors and the disabled than under the government's Medicaid program for the poor.  This is attributable to the fact that Part D, which was enacted in January 2006, lacks Medicaid's stipulation that drug companies sell prescription drugs to the government at discounted prices.  The report and its accompanying hearing echo the growing debate on privatization of programs such as Medicare.

 

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Editor’s Note: We are working to expand our mailing list and encourage forwarding this news report to others. You can remove your name/address from our list by sending name and “newsletter delete” to the Maine Council of Senior Citizens –  send an e-mail to MCSC Director Neena Quirion at MCSCARA@MSEASEIU.ORG

Ed Schlick

Editor